Emmanuel's History

History of Emmanuel Lutheran Church

“Celebrating 125 years of God’s Grace”

Emmanuel Lutheran Church celebrated its 125th anniversary on Saturday and

Sunday, September 15-16, 2018. Highlights of the weekend included a 1.25 mile fun

run/walk on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The congregation celebrated “A Festival of Worship”

on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. with former pastors and staff attending. A Brass Quartet from

Sioux Falls greeted the congregation with special music. The Emmanuel Senior Choir,

directed by Susan Jensen; Emmanuel Bell Choir, directed by Shelley Jensen; and

Emmanuel Sunday School, directed by Chris Doeden provided special music. A delicious

catered meal occurred in the fellowship hall. WELCA set up a historical church display in

the Narthex and a video presentation in the sanctuary. Our celebration reminded our

congregation again of the verses, “For it is by Grace you have been saved, through Faith,

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Emmanuel Lutheran Church met and organized on June 21, 1893 in the home of

Rev. Gunner Graven. The new congregation had a charter membership of fourteen people

and was affiliated with the Hauge Synod. The congregation’s faith in God and vision for

the future inspired them to erect a church at a cost of $1,719.20. On July 8, 1894, they

dedicated Emmanuel Lutheran Church, a name chosen because it means “God with us.”

In its early years, Emmanuel Lutheran Church faced many challenges, including

initiating and maintaining Sunday School classes. Having the lessons entirely in the

Norwegian language made it difficult for more “Americanized” church members, so

English was added. Another challenge was finding pastors to serve the parish, which also

included at different times: Bethesda Children’s Home, Romsdal Lutheran, and Skrefsrud

Lutheran churches.

The church’s affiliation changed over time. Although originally affiliated with the

Hauge Synod, the 1917 merger of the Hauge Synod, the Synodenskirke and Forenede

Kirke changed Emmanuel Lutheran Church to a congregation of the Norwegian Lutheran

Church in America. However, in 1946, the congregation upheld the proposed change of the

name to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Today, Emmanuel Lutheran Church is

affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

The original church building was expanded in 1907 and 1910. The congregation dug

the basement by hand at a cost of $1.50 per day. The new space provided room for both a

kitchen and dining room. In 1915, the first parsonage was purchased on West Cedar Street.

The Ladies Aid had been organized in 1891, two years before the church began. Ironically,

despite the women’s hard work and involvement in the church, they had no voice at the

congregation’s meetings. This finally changed in 1915, when women were invited to attend

the congregation’s business meetings and permitted to vote.

In 1944, the congregation proposed a new building, as their baptized membership

now totaled 225 members. In 1945, the congregation selected a building site on Main

Avenue, between 5th and 6th Streets for the construction of the new church. In 1946, the

Ladies Aid purchased the property adjacent to the new church site, to be used as a

parsonage and a parish house. Later in 1946, ground was broken for the new church. On

April 25, 1948, the cornerstone of Emmanuel Lutheran Church was laid. The baptized

membership now totaled 376.

In 1953, the congregation celebrated their 60th anniversary!

In 1956, the pipe organ was purchased, rebuilt, installed, and dedicated. In 1960, the

stained glass windows were installed, and in 1962, the mortgage on the new church

building was retired. In 1964, the congregation added additional pipes for a total of 13

ranks to the organ.

On July 17, 1966, Emmanuel Lutheran church broke ground for the

Parish Education Unit, which included seventeen classrooms, church offices, and a library.

On June 23, 1968 the congregation celebrated the 75th anniversary with 733 baptized

members, 504 confirmed members, and 241 children enrolled in Sunday School. In 1974,

Nazareth Lutheran Church of Beresford closed and merged with Emmanuel Lutheran. In

1974, the church parsonage beside Nazareth Lutheran at 205 W. Spruce was purchased

and later sold in 1995. The mortgage for the Emmanuel Parish Education unit was burned

on January 24, 1978.

In 1987, two lots north of the church were purchased and the houses were removed

to become the Emmanuel Lutheran church parking lot. In 1988, Contemporary Worship

services began twice a month. In 1994, a Narthex was added and dedicated to accommodate

a street level church entrance. In 1997, a Bell Choir began because three octaves of bells

and chimes were given to Emmanuel. In 2002, Emmanuel began the Parish Health

ministry. In 2003, the old church parsonage at 311 W. Main Street was sold and moved. In

2003, an Emmanuel Praise Team began leading worship services on the third Sunday of

each month. In 2008, Unlimited Audio upgraded the sound system as a wonderful addition

to the worship services. Later, a new CD player and docking station were added.

In 2010, the church purchased a 6’ 1” Yamaha Grand piano and dedicated it on

December 20, 2010. The cost was $27,876.94, paid fully by congregational donations. In

2012, the beautiful new parsonage was completed, dedicated, and Pastor Greg and Janice

Myrmoe moved in. In 2015, the church began a $100,000 capital campaign entitled

“Forward in Faith, Securing Our Future.” The congregation used the funds for retiring

the $12,000 Narthex debt, providing a new roof and new basement windows, re-plastering

the Bell Tower, and installing the Parish Education Unit flooring.

On September 16, 2018, the Emmanuel Lutheran church’s 125th celebration was a

special time to thank God for blessing this congregation. At that service led by Pastor

Myrmoe, the congregation was reminded, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice

and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24.).

In 2020, Emmanuel Lutheran Church began using FACEBOOK Live to keep the

congregation together in worship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now,

Emmanuel has many followers on FACEBOOK. In 2021, Emmanuel updated to a new

church website, using the services of Church Spring.